MEMBER:

American Aviation Historical Society (member of national advisory board), National Press Club, National Space Club (member of board of governors), Author's Guide, Daedalians, Sons of the Desert (grand sheik), Cosmos Club.

Author of introduction to Classics: U.S. Aircraft of World War II, Howell Press (Charlottesville, VA), 1987, and Aviation: A History through Art, Howell Press (Charlottesville, VA), 1992. Author of foreword to Around the World in Eight Days: The Flight of the Winnie Mae, Orion (New York, NY), 1989; Men in the Air: The Best Flight Stories of All Time from Greek Mythology to the Space Age, Crown (New York, NY), 1990; The Book of Air Shows, Schiffer Aviation History (Atglen, PA), 1993; The Greatest Flight: Reliving the Aerial Triumph That Changed the World, Andrews and McMeel (New York, NY), 1995; and How to Write, Publish and Sell Your Own Aviation Books, Tri-Pacer Press (Pembroke Pines, FL), 1998.

Author of "Guess What," a monthly column in Airline Pilots Association Journal. Contributor of more than 200 articles to magazines. Associate editor of Wings and Airpower; contributing editor of Aerophile. Beyond the Wild Blue was translated into Chinese, 2000.

SIDELIGHTS:

After serving his country in the U.S. Air Force as a career officer and command pilot, Walter J. Boyne rose through the ranks of the administration at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC, becoming its director in 1982. Boyne has also written widely on aviation topics, publishing hundreds of articles and dozens of books, including four novels. As he once told CA: "My career has been devoted to aviation, writing, and the historical research required to present new material from primary sources."

While the public often views a historical topic from a singular perspective, Boyne acknowledged its complexity: "I believe that the only thing you find in archives is a record of what the last man wanted you to think. It is imperative to cross-check historical records with principals, where possible, and with independent sources." Among Boyne's many publications number works on individual aircraft, histories of flight in general, the U.S. Air Force, jet aviation, the helicopter, the Lockheed company, and individual aircraft designs, as well as biographies of American military commanders and fighter pilots, and legendary pilots. He has also served as editor for series of works on aviation.

The Leading Edge is a history of man's attempts to fly, complete with beautiful photographic illustrations. While such a book is hardly unique, Boyne takes an original approach to the subject, focusing not on the pilots or the corporations behind the planes themselves, but on the scientists and inventors whose efforts improved the planes and allowed them to achieve greater feats at the hands of their pilots. Richard Witkin, in a contribution for the New York Times Book Review, praised Boyne's work, stating that "much will probably be refreshingly new even for those steeped in aeronautical lore."

Although many of his early books are histories of individual models of aircraft, Boyne also wrote a quartet of novels called the "Eagles" series about pilots' exploits during the world wars and the Korean War. In the mid-1990s, Boyne penned a trio of books about military vehicles, armaments, and strategies employed during important battles: Clash of Wings: Air Power in World War II, Clash of Titans: World War II at Sea, and Clash of Chariots: The Great Tank Battles. In the first title, Boyne provides readers with an overview of the aircraft, leaders, and strategy used during World War II. Booklist contributor Roland Green described its author as "knowledgeable and literate," an American Heritage reviewer praised Clash of Wings as a "brisk, well-written history," and a Publishers Weekly critic called it a "stimulating overview." Similarly, in Clash of Titans Boyne provides, with what a Publishers Weekly critic called "fervid enthusiasm," an overview of naval operations during World War II. The critic praised Boyne's ability to explain complex maneuvers in a "refreshingly outspoken" manner. In Clash of Chariots, as editor, Boyne surveys armored vehicle operations from the Battle of France in 1940 to Desert Storm in 1991. A Publishers Weekly critic described the book as "well-written and informed."

Written to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Air Force, Beyond the Wild Blue: A History of the United States Air Force, 1947-1997 is a "thorough and readable history" to quote Library Journal contributor Mel D. Lane. While a Publishers Weekly critic commented that Boyne "effectively describes the development of aerospace technology," the same critic drew on newly declassified documents to express reservations about the slant of Boyne's history. The critic suggested that Boyne "spin-doctored" errors in judgment, disputes between tactical and strategic factions of the air force, and the reorganization that took place in the early 1990s. On the other hand, Roland Green, writing in Booklist, acknowledging that Boyne presents the air force perspective on controversial matters, praised him for giving "full justice" to many aspects of the topic and in a very readable text. In Aces in Command: Fighter Pilots as Combat Leaders, Boyne profiles a quartet of Air Force aces: Eddie Rickenbacker, Hubert Zemke, Frederick Blesse, and Robin Olds. He focuses on the combination of qualities that made them successful: "a warrior ethos, charisma, and superb teaching skills," as John Sherwood explained in Air Power History. Sherwood noted that Boyne's is the first study to explore aces as commanders, concluding that "this compelling volume" contains "much of interest."

In his 1998 title, Beyond the Horizons: The Lockheed Story, Boyne chronicles in detail the history of the Lockheed company from its founding by the Loughhead brothers in the 1910s to its merger with the Martin Marietta company in 1995. According to Booklist reviewer David Rouse, Boyne gives little attention to some of the management and financial problems and the bribery scandal of the 1970s that beset the company, creating an "admiring and somewhat sanitized" company history. Even if this is so, Rouse thought the book "quite worthwhile," and Library Journal contributor Mel D. Lane called it a "solid history of a unique business."

Boyne also published The Best of Wings Magazine, a collection of some two dozen of Boyne's articles from Wings magazine, of which he was associate editor, and Two o'Clock War: The 1973 Yom Kippur Conflict and the Airlift That Saved Israel. In the latter Boyne recounts the events of the Yom Kippur war and U.S. involvement in it, particularly the massive American military airlift, which a Publishers Weekly critic called the "best and most useful" part of the volume. A Kirkus Reviews contributor commented that not only does Boyne describe wartime events, he "does a fine job … of correcting the historical record."

Air Warfare: An International Encyclopedia, for which Boyne served as editor, offers readers a broad overview of a wide assortment of subjects related to war and battles conducted in the air. Subjects touched upon include types of planes, their makers, engineers, scientists, different types of gadgets used on the planes, various military terms, specific battles, women's roles in air warfare, and the space programs of both the United States and the Soviet Union. As is standard in an encyclopedia, the topics are arranged alphabetically, and individual articles have been inserted periodically for greater depth of information. Eldon Younce, in a review for Library Journal, noted that readers with prior knowledge of the planes' numbers and manufacturers will have a simpler time accessing their entries due to their organization within the book, but concluded that "this set contains a wealth of information that would otherwise be difficult to locate."

Dawn over Kitty Hawk: A Novel of the Wright Brothers focuses not only on Wilbur and Orville Wright but also on other aviation pioneers, including Glenn Curtiss, Otto Lillienthal, and Samuel Langley. Boyne starts the book with an overview of the Wright brothers' background and early history before moving into the innovation period, when they were up against stiff competition to be the first to fly. Boyne takes liberty with history in creating a novelization of the early days of aviation. This was an issue for Joseph M. Eagan, who wrote in a Library Journal review that Boyne's "writing style is often more appropriate to nonfiction than fiction." Booklist contributor George Cohen, however, described it as "an absorbing book, rich in detail." Writing in Kliatt, John E. Boyd summarized that Dawn over Kitty Hawk is "well-written" and "puts flesh and blood on the early pioneers of aviation."

In The Influence of Air Power upon History, Boyne describes the role of aircraft in shaping history through their decisive victories in various wars of the modern era. In particular, and partly due to Boyne's own experience, he focuses on the bomber and its development and improvement since World War I. Boyne directed the content and vocabulary toward a general readership and coincided its publication with the centennial of the Wright brothers' first flight. Reviews for the book were mostly positive. Paul D. Berg, writing in Air & Space Power Journal, noted that Boyne "skillfully conveys a vision that highlights the strength of airpower's influence rather than its supposedly inherent limitations." Writing in History: Review of New Books, John Daly complimented Boyne's "excellent" bibliography but had doubts about several "debatable conclusions." Concluding a Booklist review, Roland Green commented that "Boyne's clearly written book brings air power into the military-history mainstream."

Operation Iraqi Freedom: What Went Right, What Went Wrong, and Why praises the U.S. military for the efficient job they did in Iraq during the U.S.-led invasion. Even though combat continued through the publication of this book, Boyne focuses primarily on the initial thrust into the country to Baghdad, writing only on military matters and avoiding political commentary. Booklist contributor Margaret Flanagan noted that "military history buffs will devour this timely examination of contemporary warfare." Frederick A. Johnsen, writing in Airpower, concluded that the book "is a remarkable and concise book for anyone seeking an overview of the recent war in Iraq."

Rising Tide: The Untold Story of the Russian Submarines That Fought the Cold War, which Boyne wrote with Gary E.Weir, takes a look at the fleet of submarines that were developed by the Soviet Union for their naval forces over the course of the Cold War. While these vessels started out as menacing, the emphasis placed on strong naval technology during this period led the Soviets to invest major funding into the development of even more powerful, stealthy submarine technology. The updated subs were powered by nuclear reactors that allowed for virtually silent propulsion, and the strength of the submarines' hulls allowed them to sink to and travel at previously unheard-of depths. Unfortunately, even as the Soviets sank a wealth of funds into the design and improvement of their submarines, they neglected the education and training of their operators, resulting in sailors ill-prepared to man the subs and resentful of their harsh working conditions, as well as numerous accidents at sea. Over the course of their research for the book, Boyne and Weir interviewed a number of men who used to be Soviet naval officers and crew who worked in the undersea divisions, learning both about the submarines they manned and the quality of the staff. Raymond Puffer, in a review for Kliatt, remarked that Boyne's and Weir's effort "nicely balances the technical story with the social and political forces at the heart of the Soviets' undersea forces."

Boyne served as the editor of Today's Best Military Writing: The Finest Articles on the Past, Present, and Future of the U.S. Military, a volume that gathers an assortment of works of military writing, primarily gleaned from the collection Boyne himself had amassed over the previous five years. The subjects are varied and by no means limited to modern warfare, though several essays address more current issues, including both homeland security and actions taken by the U.S. military in Afghanistan. Reviewers found some of the essays uneven, with technical language that is unlikely to make for an easy read for a layperson. However, Edward J. Metz, in a review for Library Journal, noted that "the editor does succeed in showcasing worthy examples of the vibrant literature on military affairs currently flourishing." John Darrell Sherwood, writing for Air Power History, commented: "The Armed Forces desperately need works like this one and Walter Boyne has proven himself to be up to the task. With some refinement in his methodology and annual updates, Today's Best Military Writing promises to emerge as a ‘must-read’ for anyone in the field."

Boyne returned to the concept of novelizing historic events with Roaring Thunder: A Novel of the Jet Age. The novel starts in the 1930s with Germany, England, France, and the United States all racing to develop jet engine technology. The large cast of characters in the novel mixes Vance Shannon, the fictional main character, with real pioneers of jet engine development and piloting. Reviews were mixed, however. A critic writing in Kirkus Reviews concluded: "The characters are never more than stick figures, but aviation fans will eat up the history and put up with the fiction." David Pitt, reviewing the novel in Booklist, commented that "Boyne packs the novel with historically accurate detail. As a novelist, he's on shakier ground." A contributor to Publishers Weekly had difficulty with the technical terminology of jet technology but admitted that "Boyne writes convincingly about flying."

With Supersonic Thunder: A Novel of the Jet Age, Boyne returns to the world he created with Roaring Thunder. The book focuses on three men—father Vance Shannon and his twin sons, Tom and Harry—all introduced in the previous installment of the series. The three of them eat, sleep, and breathe in the world of airplanes. They have worked on both sides of the airfield, both as engineers of new aircraft technology and as virtuoso flyers in their own right. Starting in the mid-1950s and continuing for nearly twenty years, The Shannons work for the government to assist in developing specialized technology to keep the United States safe, including satellites, missiles, and spy planes, and deal with the various political and historical events of this period that have bearing on their activities, such as Sputnik and the Cuban Missile Crisis. A reviewer for Publishers Weekly opined that "the aviation history and tech talk are sparkling, but the plot is an anemic mix of family saga." A contributor for Kirkus Reviews had a similar reaction to the book, stating that it is "not much of a story, but the history is vivid enough that you might want to take a ride."

Reflecting on his varied career, Boyne once told CA: "The military life is far different than it is commonly portrayed in film and literature. While there is a core of regimentation at the working level, there is far more opportunity for individualism and creativity than one finds in corporate work. There is more tolerance, more appreciation and more competition than anyone imagines. There is a facade that is deceptive; underneath it is an intensive, stimulating environment.

"The world of museums presents an almost opposite situation; outwardly a calm, placid and scholarly outpost of academe, it is actually like any other community of people, filled with turbulence, personal conflict, jealousy, rage, hurt feelings, achievement, and, hopefully, some public satisfaction. In many respects, museum people are closer to theater people than to academics; there is always a show that must go on, and while it is based on research efforts rather than acting ability, the final product is intended to please a demanding audience."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Aerospace Power Journal, summer, 2002, review of The Best of Wings Magazine, p. 123.

Air & Space Power Journal, fall, 2004, Paul D. Berg, review of The Influence of Air Power upon History.

Airpower, March 1, 2004, Frederick A. Johnsen, review of Operation Iraqi Freedom: What Went Right, What Went Wrong, and Why, p. 10.

Air Power History, winter, 1997, review of Beyond the Wild Blue: A History of the United States Air Force, 1947-1997, p. 62; fall, 2001, John Sherwood, review of Aces in Command: Fighter Pilots as Combat Leaders, p. 48; winter, 2004, Sam McGowan, review of Two o'Clock War: The 1973 Yom Kippur Conflict and the Airlift That Saved Israel; summer, 2005, John Darrell Sherwood, review of Today's Best Military Writing: The Finest Articles on the Past, Present, and Future of the U.S. Military; spring, 2007, Robert J. Davis, review of Roaring Thunder: A Novel of the Jet Age.

American Heritage, October, 1994, review of Clash of Wings: Air Power in World War II, p. 102.

American History Illustrated, January, 1988, review of The Smithsonian Book of Flight, p. 8.

American Spectator, December, 1986, review of The Wild Blue: The Novel of the U.S. Air Force, p. 27.

Appraisal, summer, 1989, review of The Smithsonian Book of Flight for Young People, p. 14.

Best Sellers, December, 1986, review of The Wild Blue, p. 324; January, 1987, review of The Leading Edge, p. 392.

Booklist, February 15, 1983, review of Aircraft Treasures of Silver Hill: The Behind-the-Scenes Workshop of Our Nation's Air Museums, p. 751; October 1, 1984, review of Vertical Flight: The Age of the Helicopter, p. 176; July, 1986, review of The Wild Blue, p. 1561; November 15, 1987, review of The Smithsonian Book of Flight, p. 523; January 1, 1989, review of Power behind the Wheel: Creativity and the Evolution of the Automobile, p. 738; March 15, 1989, review of The Smithsonian Book of Flight for Young People, p. 1292; April 15, 1989, review of Trophy for Eagles, p. 1409; April 15, 1991, review of The Smithsonian Book of Flight for Young People, p. 1634; May 15, 1991, review of Weapons of Desert Storm, p. 1763; May 15, 1994, Roland Green, review of Clash of Wings, p. 1661; May 1, 1995, Gilbert Taylor, review of Clash of Titans: World War II at Sea, p. 1549; April 15, 1997, Roland Green, review of Beyond the Wild Blue, pp. 1367-1368; September 1, 1998, David Rouse, review of Beyond the Horizons: The Lockheed Story, pp. 41-42; May 1, 2003, George Cohen, review of Dawn over Kitty Hawk: A Novel of the Wright Brothers, p. 1576; July 1, 2003, Roland Green, review of The Influence of Air Power upon History, p. 1850; November 15, 2003, Margaret Flanagan, review of Operation Iraqi Freedom, p. 567; December 1, 2005, David Pitt, review of Roaring Thunder, p. 24.

Book Report, March-April, 1989, William J. Smith, review of The Smithsonian Book of Flight for Young People, p. 39.

Book Watch, May, 1991, review of Weapons of Desert Storm, p. 8.

Business Week, December 12, 1988, review of Power behind the Wheel, p. 133.

Children's Book Review Service, January, 1989, review of The Smithsonian Book of Flight for Young People, p. 56.

Science Books & Films, May, 1987, review of The Leading Edge, p. 308; May, 1989, review of The Smithsonian Book of Flight for Young People, p. 303; special edition, 1998, review of The Smithsonian Book of Flight for Young People, p. 55.

SciTech Book News, December, 1986, review of The Leading Edge, p. 36; March, 2001, review of German Aircraft and Armament: Informational Intelligence, Summary No. 44-32, October 1944, p. 176; December, 2001, review of The Best of Wings Magazine, p. 175.

Social Education, April, 1989, review of The Smithsonian Book of Flight for Young People, p. 235.

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